The following text is adapted from a 1923 research report by marine biologist William Beebe on deep-sea exploration.At depths exceeding...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from a 1923 research report by marine biologist William Beebe on deep-sea exploration.
At depths exceeding 3,000 feet, the bathysphere's porthole revealed an alien world. Bioluminescent creatures drifted past like living stars, their light providing the only illumination in that crushing darkness. Most remarkable were the jellyfish—translucent beings whose bodies showed merely a whisper of form against the absolute black of the abyss.
As used in the text, what does the word "whisper" most nearly mean?
Secret
Hint
Rumor
Sound
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "At depths exceeding 3,000 feet, the bathysphere's porthole revealed an alien world." |
|
| "Bioluminescent creatures drifted past like living stars, their light providing the only illumination in that crushing darkness." |
|
| "Most remarkable were the jellyfish—translucent beings whose bodies showed merely a whisper of form against the absolute black of the abyss." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The deep sea reveals an alien world where even the most remarkable creatures like jellyfish are barely visible against the crushing darkness.
Argument Flow: The passage moves from establishing the alien nature of the deep-sea environment to describing the general lighting conditions, then focuses specifically on jellyfish as an example of how difficult these creatures are to see in such extreme darkness.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The meaning of the word "whisper" as used in the specific context of this passage.
What type of answer do we need? The definition or synonym that best captures how "whisper" functions in this particular sentence about jellyfish visibility.
Any limiting keywords? "As used in the text" - we need the contextual meaning, not the general dictionary definition.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- In this context, "whisper" describes how the jellyfish bodies appear against the darkness
- The passage is talking about visibility - the jellyfish are translucent and barely detectable against the black background
- A "whisper of form" suggests something extremely faint, subtle, or barely perceptible
- The word isn't being used in its literal sense (quiet sound) but metaphorically to describe something that's just barely there - like a hint or suggestion of shape rather than a clear, distinct form
Secret
Secret
✗ Incorrect
- This suggests something hidden or confidential
- The passage isn't about the jellyfish hiding their form, but about their form being barely visible due to translucency and darkness
Hint
Hint
✓ Correct
- Perfectly captures the idea of something faint or barely perceptible
- Matches the context - the jellyfish show just a hint or suggestion of form, not a clear, distinct shape
Rumor
Rumor
✗ Incorrect
- Refers to unverified information or gossip
- Doesn't fit the visual description of barely visible forms
Sound
Sound
✗ Incorrect
- This is the literal meaning of "whisper" (quiet speech)
- The passage is describing visual appearance, not auditory qualities